Idolatry eBook

Few as were the hours since they first had seen each
other, it seemed as though they could hardly know
each other better; then why put off the consummation
a single hour? Manetho had been right, and Balder
marvelled at having required the spur. He knew
of no material hindrances; unlimited resources would
be his, and these would render easier Gnulemah’s
introduction to society. Perhaps (for doubtless
Manetho would desire it) they might begin housekeeping
in this very house, and thus, by gradual approaches,
make their way to life’s realities,—­vulgarly
so called!

At this moment, Balder’s respect for wealth
was many fold greater than ever it had been before.
It should be the sword and shield wherewith he would
protect the woman of his heart. Gnulemah was not
of the kind who need the discipline of poverty; her
beauty and goodness would be best nurtured beneath
an affluent sun. Wants and inconveniences would
rather pain and mystify than educate her. How
good was that God who had vouchsafed not only the
blessing, but the means of enjoying it!

God gave Balder Helwyse opportunity to prove the soundness
of his faith. Labor and poverty awaited him;
what else and worse let time show. In anguish,
fear, and humiliation had his love been born, but
the birth-pangs had been as brief as they were intense.
A brave soul’s metal is more severely tried
by crawling years of monotonous effort, discord of
must with wish, and secret self-suppression and misgiving.
Happily life is so ordered that no blow can crush unless
dealt from within, nor is any sunshine worth having
that shines only from without.

Balder’s eyes were softer than their wont, and
there was a tender and sweet expression about his
mouth. Never had life been so inestimable a blessing,—­never
had nature looked so divinely alive. He could
imagine nothing gloomy or forbidding; in darkness’s
self he would have found germs of light. His
love was a panoply against ill of mind or body.
He thought he perceived, once for all, the insanity
of selfishness and sin.

Suddenly he was conscious through Gnulemah of the
same shiver that had visited her in the conservatory
that morning. Looking round, he was startled
to see, beyond the near benison of her sumptuous face,
the tall form of the Egyptian priest. He was
not a dozen yards away, advancing slowly towards them.
Balder sprang up.

“Our chain,—­you have broken it!”
exclaimed Gnulemah. It was only a flower chain,
but flowers are the bloom and luxury of life.

Manetho came up with a smile.

“Come, my children!” said he. “This
chain would soon have faded and fallen apart of itself,
but the chain I will forge you is stronger than time
and weightier than dandelions. Come!”

Gnulemah picked up the broken links, and they followed
him to the house.

XXXI.

Married.

The significant part of most life histories is the
record of a few detached hours, the rest being consequence
and preparation. Helwyse had lived in constant
mental and physical activity from childhood up; but
though he had speculated much, and ever sought to prove
the truth by practice, yet he had failed to create
adequate emergencies, and was like an untried sword,
polished and keen, but lacking still the one stern
proof of use.